A far-right Republican congressman launched a bid on Monday to oust US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, reigniting an intraparty battle between traditional conservatives and firebrand supporters of former president Donald Trump.
Matt Gaetz, from Florida, entered his resolution from the House floor “declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant”.
Mr Gaetz is a leading figure in the small group of far-right Republican legislators who brought the government to the brink of shutdown with their refusal to adopt new federal funding without deep spending cuts.
The group also opposes sending more support to Ukraine, saying the money would be better spent in the US battling illegal immigration.
The hardliners hold a de facto veto over legislation in the House, given the Republicans' narrow victory in the midterm elections last November.
After the chamber passed a last-minute measure on Saturday to extend funding – at current levels and without new Ukraine aid – Mr Gaetz said he would move to oust Mr McCarthy.
To gain the speaker's gavel in January, Mr McCarthy was forced to make concessions to the far-right bloc.
The timeline for next steps on Mr Gaetz's resolution is variable, and it is not yet clear if Democrats would come to Mr McCarthy's aid.
The resolution requires a majority to pass. Mr McCarthy must call a vote within two legislative days, Bloomberg reported.
The move, officially called a motion to vacate the chair, is a parliamentary process that has not resulted in a speaker removal vote since 1910. In that case, then-speaker Joseph Cannon survived the test.
Mr Gaetz said on Sunday he believed he had enough Republican support to oust Mr McCarthy.
“The only way Kevin McCarthy is speaker of the House at the end of this coming week is if Democrats bail him out,” he told CNN.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
THE BIO:
Sabri Razouk, 74
Athlete and fitness trainer
Married, father of six
Favourite exercise: Bench press
Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn
Power drink: A glass of yoghurt
Role model: Any good man
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
